knitting

You know the drill, and I’m sure you’ve all heard the protests of “what’s that in my food?!” Picky little ones often grow up to be picky adults. And while I’m kid-less, I still hear about texture issues and fight the good veggie fight all the time. This one worked really good, she even asked to have it again.

This soup has green peppers, chickpeas, and butternut squash, but pureed it looks like plain old tomato soup – only with tons more flavor and nutrition. My picky eater loved it, but she didn’t see it before it was pureed. I would suggest not letting your picky eater see it either. Sometimes it’s better if they just don’t know.

Slow Cooker Picky Eater’s Soup

2 cups butternut squash, can be precooked, frozen, or raw (peeled and seeded of course)

Throw everything in the slow cooker and cook on low 6 – 10 hours. Puree with an immersion blender or in a food processor before serving. You may need to add more filtered water to get it to the consistency that you like. Serve with oyster crackers.

I keep little baggies of leftover veggies in the freezer. This soup is perfect to add those to, or the little bits in the fridge that aren’t enough for a proper side dish. Yummy and frugal – my dream has come true!

I’m not much of a super bowl person. In fact I can’t think of any sports that I want to sit down and watch. Don’t be mad though, I’m fine with the rest of the world hanging at super bowl parties while I’m shopping, or dining in peace and quiet.

I’ve recommitted myself to eating healthy and losing some weight, so pizza out isn’t on my plan, but making it at home is. A thin whole wheat crust from Whole Foods, low fat cheese (if any), and tons of veggies makes a pizza that is actually good for you.

BBQ Tofu Veggie Pizza

1 Whole Wheat pre-cooked pizza crust

1/2 recipe slow cooker bbq tofu (recipe below)

1/4 red onion, sliced

1/3 cup pineapple, chopped

1 cup bell peppers, sliced

1/4 bbq sauce

1/2 cup shredded cheddar (sub soy cheese or leave off)

Preheat oven to 350. Spread bbq sauce on crust and pile on the veggies, tofu and top with a sprinkling of cheese if you’d like. Cook on oven rack until cheese is melted. Veggies will still be a little crunchy and full of vitamins.

Slow Cooker BBQ Tofu

Press the tofu to get it firmer. To do this slice into fourths and wrap it in a towel (paper or dish towel) and sit a heavy pan on it for 15 – 20 minutes to press out the water. Unwrap and dice tofu. Put 1 cup of bbq sauce (I used Whole Foods citrus chipolte bbq sauce.) in slow cooker and mix in tofu. Cook on low 4 – 8 hours.